Multi-county pursuit ends in arrest

A police pursuit that lasted 90 minutes, spanning four counties, ended with an arrest and a hospital trip Wednesday, after police say the suspect ingested a bag of methamphetamine.

Police arrested Brian M. Kerns, 41, of Evansville, on preliminary charges of resisting law enforcement, possession of a stolen vehicle and reckless driving after stop sticks successfully halted the chase, according to a joint press release from sheriff’s departments in Tipton and Huntington counties.

About 2 a.m., Huntington County Sheriff Chris Newton said a deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop after the officer clocked a vehicle speeding in excess of 90 mph on U.S. 24 in front of Parkview Huntington Hospital, near Ind. 9.

When the officer caught up to the car, which refused to stop, the officer found the vehicle was reported stolen out of Tell City.

As the suspect made his way through Huntington, Grant, Madison and Tipton counties each department responded to assist. The path of the chase included U.S. 24, Ind. 9, Ind. 37 and Ind. 28.

“Every county tried to get stop sticks on this guy, and he kept avoiding them somehow,” Newton said, adding that Madison county law enforcement finally made a successful deployment at approximately 4250 E. Ind. 28.

The vehicle came to a stop just east of Tipton County Road 350 East, and a short foot pursuit followed, according to the release. The suspect was detained just north of Hobb Drive in Tipton.

Kerns was treated at Tipton IU Hospital for ingestion of methamphetamine after Kerns said he thought he was having a heart attack, Newton said.

Kerns is currently in custody at the Huntington County Jail, after officers booked him about 9 a.m.

Newton said the Huntington Police Department, Grant County Sheriff’s Department, Madison County Sheriff’s Department, Tipton Police Department and Tipton County Sheriff’s Department assisted in the pursuit.

Newton said this is the third stolen vehicle recovered in Huntington County since Friday, May 3.

“It’s just plain crazy,” Newton said. “I’m thankful that, as a sheriff, these guys are out there busting their butts and doing such a good job. The last thing that we want is having these guys in and around Huntington County.”